S.E. Tsaptrul Rinpoche

As a disciple of the fifth Gyalwang Drukpa, Pagsam Wangpom the first Tsaptrul Rinpoche (17th century) was originally at the head of the Tsa-Shu monastery in Nangchen, Tibet.

He was invited to the Khampagar monastery in the Kham district by Tenpe Nyima, the sixth Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche. Tsaptrul Rinpoche then became the head of this monastery. Since then, his successive incarnations have directed the Khampagar monastery in Tibet.

When the eighth Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche had to flee Tibet in the 1960s, Tsaptrul Rinpoche chose to remain in order to care for Khampagar monastery where he died a few years later.

In 1969, the fourth Tsaptrul Rinpoche was born to a family in India, near Tso Pema lake, exactly where Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche had chosen to settle and who had founded the new Khampagar monastery in Tashi Jong.

Recognized by Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche, the fourth Tsaptrul Rinpoch was enthroned at the age of nine and received the name Mipham Shedrup Tenpa Rabsal

Invited to Bhutan, the land of the Dragon, where he deployed his activity for several years, the eighth Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche brought Tstaptrul Rinpoche with him in 1978 along with other Rinpoches and Lamas.

After receiving numerous empowerments and following the parinirvana of Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche in Bhutan, Tsaptrul Rinpoche began a study of philosophical texts and practices and made several years of retreat at Tashi Jong.

Two incarnations of Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche were found. Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche Shedrup Nyima, who belonged to Khampagar Monastery at Tashi Jong and Kyabjé Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh, who belonged to the monastery in Darjeeling, in India.

His Eminence Tsaptrul Rinpoche resides today in Tashi Jong at Khampagar monastery where he has numerous duties.

In 2000 he was elected vice-president of the monastery for three years and was re-elected this year for a new term of three years. Thus he deploys without interruption his activity for the Drukpa lineage.